Balter Crushes in GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers for 2018

In an unsurprising turn of events for Australia’s flourishing craft beer industry, Gold Coast brewery Balter has taken out number one, as well as two other coveted top-ten spots, in the Great Australasian Beer Spectapular’s (GABS) annual Hottest 100 Craft Beer list for 2018.

Announced on Sunday–the same day Triple J’s iconic Hottest 100 playlist aired–, GABS’ Hottest 100 Craft Beers list saw over 31,000 local beer lovers place in excess of 155,000 votes for their very best frothies of the year that was. The results of this ballot were released in a live countdown at 45 official events around Australia.

Over 260 breweries were responsible for producing the 2,350-odd beers which received voted from the thirsty crowds, but only 100 could claim to be victorious enough to end up on the final list, which was topped by the Delicious Balter XPA–an extra pale ale from the relatively new Queensland brewery backed by pro surfer Mick Fanning.

The sun-drenched brewery, known for its proclivity for creating brews that are big on flavour without losing their refreshing, moreish edge, also enjoyed spot number six on the list, for their IIPA (double IPA), and number seven for their IPA. The double IPA was new to market this year, one of 21 new crews to feature in the Hottest 100 lists, and a fair indictment that the craft beer scene is very much about innovation and the odd shake-up.

Second place went to Stone & Wood’s stalwart Pacific Ale: an annual top-three favourite for its light and complex summery flavours and pleasant bitterness, without the smack-in-the-face boozy, hoppy hit of other craft ales. Crankshaft–an IPA from Canberra brewery BentSpoke–came in at third. BentSpoke also boasted four more Hottest 100 brews, all in the top 25, branding their name as a modern favourite for Aussie drinkers.

Proving that the market thrives on change and regeneration, Queensland is punching well above its weight this year, with 22 beers from nine breweries (up from 15 beers and five breweries in 2017). New South Wales maintained its dominant presence on the list (26 beers from 13 breweries). Interestingly, breweries from Canberra are proving their mettle at a startling rate, with

“I think it’s just become this wonderful tradition that’s grown alongside the craft beer industry, allowing beer lovers to reflect on their favourite beers of the year and give a vote to the brewers who made them”, says GABS Co-Founder Steve Jeffares.

“With breweries opening in all corners of the country, pushing the boundaries of style, technique and creativity, there’s really never been a better time to be a craft beer drinker. And with such a huge number of votes behind it, this year’s list is again very revealing about what people are drinking and enjoying, whether that’s a more mainstream Pale Ale or a Strawberry Rhubarb Sour from their favourite Sunshine Coast local.”

See below to find out if your favourite brew made it into the top 100 for 2018.